Looking to strengthen their bench, protect themselves in case of an injury to starting shortstop Cristian Guzman and help themselves for the trade deadline, the Nationals signed Ronnie Belliard to a non-guaranteed Minor League contract on Sunday. If he makes the 25-man roster, Belliard will make $750,000, plus incentives.
I can't understand how Belliard, a productive player in three consecutive seasons, has to sign a minor league deal to be an insurance policy for Cristian freaking Guzman while we're in the midst of an offseason in which eight-figure contracts are being offered like handbills at a hip-hop concert. Can someone explain this to me?